Update: Refocusing This Site And My Hopes For The Year Revisited

It's not been that long since my last update, but I think a lot has been going on here - at least behind the scenes - and warranted a check in. I'm about through February and I've been making progress on the goals I initially set. However, I know that goals must sometimes be evaluated and revised according to what's happening on the ground.

In this writer's case, it is about what I want to accomplish in 2012, first and foremost. The point to remember, though, is that one must have a set of priorities for managing those goals as well. I need to look again at what I said I want and then decide whether or not I still want the same things. I'm sure I will be doing that a few more times this year as the projects progress and as I accomplish the goals I set for myself.

Refocus

I am really trying to refocus this site. Over the years, it has had different ones and I've used it for various purposes. A a result the "voice" of the blog has also changed from time to time. When I was trying to make this a hub of my freelance web writing business, it was more about creating informative articles as a way to showcase my skills. It was a glorified portfolio sometimes - even though I had my portfolio available for viewing too. I've changed things lately to reflect the fact that I am venturing more and more in publishing my work through Founders House Publishing (the business I started in 2009) and more recently my forays into fiction writing. I've been happy to do it because I've been wanting to do it for years.

My website is about my writing and my aspirations going forward. This is a hallmark year for that alone. I've been blogging here since 2008, though not always consistently. I've had to deal with the fact that there were still so many aspects of the writing business had little information or experience, and I could not hope to position myself as an "expert" until I put in the time.

I've been writing a lot of books lately. Still am in fact, though I am at a point where the income is ebbing. I hate being here so I've been working to get out of it and stay out. After so many years spent writing nonfiction articles and the like for other people, predominantly for no credit at all, I have had enough of that. I'm here to write stories. I've been sharing some of them with you.

Free Fiction Friday And More

I've been enjoying this particular challenge. I've set out to get fifty new stories up by the end of the year. It think it's still possible to do it, but I won't lie and say I've been thinking about suspending the challenge. Still, I haven't yet and I hope that those who happen by to read come back every Friday. It's one of the new additional that I really like. It's like a mark of progress down the new road I'm trying to tread.

I can't say that I've adhered strictly to a new story a week format, but I've had the chance to go back and finish ones that were just waiting to see the light of day. These short stories run a certain gamut of genres and flavors. They sort of represent some directions I will be going in later as I start to build my list of novels and longer fiction.

2012 is primed to become my own "Year Of The Novel," though I have to wonder how accurate that moniker is since I've already published two nonfiction books and have two more slated to appear in the coming months. Now this isn't to say I'm throwing the towel in. Nope, I have plans to write several novels this year. But first things first. I have a book that I've been trying to finish for more than a decade and it's finally coming out into the light. Finally.

If I can say anything about my writing journey, I can say that it really started back when  I started writing that book. Let me tell you that this is a big relief. Keep your eyes out for that book and more.

Coming Up

To close this update, I will say that I have some other posts that will be coming up soon. I want to talk about my goals again and maybe reflect a little on goals as a whole. I'm sure some of you who aren't writers, aspiring writers, and pros will find something in a discussion of that subject.

Thanks for stopping in.

Challenge Story #9: Chasing Demons

Another Friday, another free story. This week's addition is called Chasing Demons. It is an urban fantasy about a young woman named Agnes Panetti who has made it her personal mission to hunt down the things that go bump in the night...in other words, she hunts monsters. I hope you enjoy this initial installment.

Chasing Demons

By Shaun Kilgore

Copyright © 2012 Shaun Kilgore

Published by Founders House Publishing, LLC

All rights reserved.

The steady thump was familiar and comfortable. The young woman pummeled the training bag with every ounce of her strength, every shred of her focus. First gloves then feet lashed out at the bag, pushing about with steady, staccato motions. Her dark, curly locks were drenched with sweat. Dressed in baggy shorts and a spandex bra, Agnes Panetti had been working out for over an hour. She moved from one part of the gym to the other, relishing the chance to work out her aggression in the solitude of the empty space, using the equipment or just hitting the mats. No one bothered if she came there after hours. Louis didn't mind her borrowing the key. The owner of Durrant's Gym always maintained an open-door policy with little Aggie Panetti.

That last point, usually spoken in jest by old Lou always seemed to get under her skin. She was only five-three. It shouldn't matter that much. She packed a powerful punch and it wouldn't be wise to test her too far. Agnes could be deadly; she knew it too. Still she worked to become better by training in all manner of martial arts and other hand-to-hand combat. She had a good reason after all.

Agnes Panetti hunted monsters.

Challenge Story #8: The Oracle Of Sadeer

UPDATE: 2/24/2012: You will be able to read the rest of this story once they appear on the sites. 

It's friday again, Free Fiction Friday, where I upload a new short story for you, the readers, each week. As the name implies you can read the story absolutely free until next Friday where it will be replaced by another story. I hope you enjoy The Oracle Of Sadeer. It's a fantasy tale.

The Oracle Of Sadeer

Shaun Kilgore

Copyright © 2012 Shaun Kilgore

Published by Founders House Publishing, LLC

All rights reserved.

Nabbeth squeezed through a gap in the crumbling walls to enter the weathered ruins that perched atop the hill overlooking her village. There was something exciting about the notion she was breaking Bellar's edict. The old wizard had forbidden any of the people to venture up into the ruins and none had dared to cross him. Nabbeth was an exception. She just couldn't pass up the chance to visit the remains of the ancient castle that jutted up like a jagged tooth to blot out the skies each midafternoon. Bellar fussed and fumed about the most harmless things; his mind wandered often and he spoke of the times before Nabbeth's people had ventured down out of the mountains.

Coming out into the open court, Nabbeth looked up at the crumbling and vine-choked walls, the shapes of balustrades and the battlements where long-dead warriors fought to defend the fortress from equally nameless invaders. The details were long lost and even Bellar had no idea who had built the castle. The only facts that the wizard liked to mutter were the kinds that were told to make children behave. Ghost stories and nothing more. Standing there, Nabbeth snickered. There was no one there but her.

My Current Books

Every once in a while I will be posting my current list of books so my readers know what's available and also where they can pick up a copy themselves. It's my small bit of advertising. I am including links to where you can purchase the books and short summaries of what my books are about. Thanks for stopping by my site. 

Heaven's Point Guard: The Kirk Gentrup Story (co-written with Ken "Cruiser" Gentrup)

Available in hardcover $20.00 and for Kindle $7.99

This is the story of Kirk Gentrup, sixteen-year-old boy, star athlete, and much loved student who was fatally struck by lightning on the baseball field in 1995. Told from the perspective of his father, Ken "Cruiser" Gentrup, Heaven's Point Guard shares memories of Kirk's life, remembrances of loved ones, and messages from those who were affected by Kirk's life and example.

Remember The Ride: The Story Of North Vermillion Girls Basketball's Sensational Four-Year Run (co-written with Ken "Cruiser" Gentrup)

Available in softcover $15.00

From 2000 through 2004, a small Indiana high school's girls basketball program had four seasons of play. Led by Coach Ken "Cruiser" Gentrup, the North Vermillion Lady Falcons reached unimagined heights. In 2002, Gentrup led the team to a Class A State Championship crown and other titles to their credit. The team returned to defend their title in 2003. The Lady Falcons broke records and took their school and the fans on an amazing fifty-game winning streak. Remember The Ride is the story of a group of talented young women who achieved big dreams by putting all of their ambition and skill to the test.

Autumn Sky (co-written with Brent Pasley)

Available in softcover $13.99 and for Kindle, Nook, and on Smashwords for $6.99

There are many dangers on a wagon train headed towards the goldfields of California. Veteran cavalryman and guide Abel Carter leads another group west through the Kansas Territory when strange and terrible things start happening. Ghostly natives haunt the prairie, shadowing the wagon train as it makes its way to Fort Leavenworth to winter. Behind the Cherokee warriors, a more menacing, supernatural presence has awful designs for Carter. Will he survive? Will anyone?

On The Path: Lessons From A Freelance Writer

Available as an ebook for Kindle, Nook, and on Smashwords for $4.99

On The Path: Lessons From A Freelance Writer is a short book that shares some of the knowledge, tips, and experiences of a freelance writer. It is a good resource for beginners and veteran writers alike who might like find something valuable from a professional writer further down the path.